12th Annual

"Willkommen! Welcome! We invite you to the sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas. Visit Canada's original Christkindl Market and relive a centuries-old tradition. Our festival of German Christmas is a 4-day festival, with over 70 vendors and free entertainment.
Christkindl Market committee together with City of Kitchener staff work throughout the year to provide an experience for visitors young and old. I'm sure you'll make memories and you'll want to return to time and time again. Enjoy the ambience! Jeder ist herzlich wilkommen. Good luck winning the Trip for 2 to Germany and many other wonderful prizes." - Astrid Braun, President
The sparkle of Christmas lights. The twirl of skaters. The sound of a choir singing Silent Night. Your breath clouds in front of you as you walk past stalls selling schinken, potato pancakes and fresh pastries, their delicious aromas inviting you to linger.
The colourful swirl of dancers and the melodious tolling of bells. There's nothing like music and dance to set the mood for some holiday magic.
In front of Kitchener City Hall, the crowd munches on Bratwurst and Lebkuchen (spice cake), while sipping steaming mugs of Gluwein (mulled wine). On stage, bellringers, dancers and musicians fill the square with the festive sounds of Christmas. Inside City Hall, vendors offer handcrafted and traditional gifts: ornaments, toys, jewelry, florals, ceramics, stained glass and carvings. Model trains journey through miniature landscapes at the model railway displays, while children enjoy the fun of creating their own Christmas crafts at the Kinderecke.
Imagine how much fun your family and friends will have when you start off your holiday season with a visit to Kitchener's Christkindl Market. As founder Tony Bergmeier says, "the joy is yours."
For up-to-date news, events and information on how to WIN, subscribe to our e-Newsletter. Coming from out of town? Stay a while. There's lots to do in the area. Let us help you plan your trip with maps, brochures and helpful links.
Did you visit our Market this year? Please tell us your story ... (click here)
See our 30 Second TV spot (11.5Mb Quicktime)
Download the 2007 Christkindl Market brochure. Click here (830kb pdf)
Planning ahead? Join us in 2008 from December 4th to 7th and in 2009 from December 3rd - 6th.
Photos courtesy of Jan Pisarczyk at pirak.com.